St. Gemma Galgani And The Miraculous Crucifix Of Volto Santo.

Saint Gemma often prayed before the miraculous “Volto Santo” (Holy Face in English) in the Cathedral of San Martino in her hometown of Lucca. It is before this image of the Volto Santo or “Holy Face” that Gemma would pour out the love and concerns of her heart to her beloved Jesus. In fact we read in her Autobiography that it was before the Volto Santo crucifix in the Cathederal of Santo Martino that Gemma saw and met the Passionists for the first time.

Here is what she wrote:

“The month of June was almost over and near the end of the month a mission began in the church of San Martino….(This mission was held in the Cathedral of St. Martin from June 25 to July 9, 1899. It was preached by the following Passionist Fathers: Cajetan, Adalbert, Callistus and Ignatius. -editor).

I cannot describe the impression made on me when I saw those priests preach! The impression was very great because I saw that they were clothed with the same kind of habit that Brother Gabriel was wearing the first time I saw him (in a vision -ed.) I was seized with such an affection for them that I never missed a sermon from that day until the end of the mission.

The last day of the mission arrived and all the people were gathered in the church for the general Communion. I was among the large crowd and Jesus, who was greatly pleased, made Himself strongly felt by my soul and he said to me: “Gemma, do you like the habit that priest is wearing?” (He indicated a Passionist who was somewhat distant from me). I did not answer with words but my heart answered him with its palpitations. He added: “Would you like to be clothed with the same habit?” “My God!” I exclaimed, “Yes.” Jesus continued, “You will be a daughter of my Passion, and a well beloved daughter. One of these sons (of the Passion) will be your father. Go and reveal everything.” And I saw that Jesus indicated Father Ignatius.

So, we see in Gemma’s own words how Jesus spoke to her before the Volto Santo crucifix in the Cathederal of Santo Martino. But what are the origins of this miraculous crucifix?

The wooden crucifix known as Volto Santo (Holy Face) was also known in earlier times as the Holy Cross. It is reverently enshrined in a free-standing, small octagonal structure (Tempietto) located in the north aisle of the cathedral dedicated to St. Martino in Lucca, Italy. Surrounding the holy figure are countless silver and gold hearts, crosses, rings, pins and medallions which were offered as tokens of appreciation for the miracles and favors received from the wonder-working image.Miraculous Crucifix of Volto Santo

An ancient legend tells that the crucifix was carved from a cedar of Lebanon by a man named Nicodemus. The legend also reveals that the Italian Bishop Gualfredo, while he was a pilgrim in the Holy Land, obtained possession of the Volto Santo and embarked with it in a boat without a crew or sails. Finally, after miraculously escaping pirates, the boat drifted through the Mediterranean and went ashore on the beach at Luni, near La Spezia. As the worshippers at Luni and Lucca disputed possession of the holy image, the Bishop of Lucca decided to leave the choice of its final destination to the Divine Will. Placing it on a cart driven by oxen, the animals-of their own accord-set off for Lucca. This is said to have taken place during the eighth century.

Miracles through the Volto Santo Crucifix.

The first miracle performed by the Volto Santo involved a poor minstrel who had come from France as a pilgrim. Unable to present the image with an offering, he was despondent, but then decided to offer what he had. As best he could, he began to play his lute in front of the holy image. When the humble performance was completed, the image, as a token of appreciation, let fall one of its silver slippers, dropping it in front of the minstrel. Accepting this gift from the Crucified, the minstrel kept the slipper, but was captured a short time later and charged with sacrilegious theft. Judged guilty, his innocence was only established by divine intervention. Since the time of this miracle one of the slippers of the Volto Santo has been supported by a silver cup resembling a chalice.

In the Middle Ages the legend of the Holy Cross and the reports of its miracles spread quickly throughout France, Flanders, London and all the countries visited by the merchants of Lucca. The image was so well known in England that even the monarchy knew of it. It is said that KingWilliamII of England used to swear “per sanctum vultum de Luca’ (“by the holy face of Lucca”).

The Volto Santo eventually became the symbol of Lucca. Its image can be found engraved on the coins of the town and on the seals of the Corte dei Mercanti (the Merchants’ Guilds). The Volto Santo is also mentioned by Dante Alighieri in his book “Inferno”. [and speaking of Dante, an interesting side note is that Dante’s wife was also named “Gemma”).

Miraculous Crucifix of Volto Santo

Disputing the legend previously mentioned, it is the prevailing opinion that the Volto Santo is the work of a Lombard master of the second half of the eleventh century. Extant documents make mention that the Volto Santo was preceded in St. Martino’s by another crucifix of which there are no records, except that it is known to have been very old. This might have been the crucifix of the legend. Regardless, the Volto Santo has been regarded as miraculous since its arrival in Lucca, a claim that has always been respected.

The holy crucifix was originally of polychrome wood, but the blackening produced during the centuries by the smoke of candles and incense has given the whole figure a very distinctive gloss. During the annual September festivities in honor of the Holy Cross, the Volto Santo is adorned with precious ornaments: a velvet tunic lavishly decorated with gold embroidery, a tall golden crown, a gold collar and costly ornaments. On the thirteenth of September at sunset, a candlelight procession, attended by the whole of Lucca, makes its way through the town.

Gemma surely attended these yearly celebrations with the joy of seeing her Jesus loved and honored by the many people, and with her heart all on fire with love for Him.

May Saint Gemma teach us to love Jesus with all our hearts, and to sacrifice and suffer out of love for Him.